ftittG ©avib'6 








I. II > n- iii ti i »a. 



■iMWi#Mi«Mlia 



KING DAVID'S EARTH-BORN SON 



KING DAVID'S EARTH-BORN SON 



A BIOGRAPHY OF SOLOMON 



BY 



ERNST P. H. PFATTEICHER 



9 • 



THE HERALD PRESS 

NOHHISTOWN, PENNSYLVANIA 

1906 






LIBRARY of CONGRESS 
Two Copies RKeived 

DEC 23 1905 

Copyright Entry 
cCAss ex XXc. No. 

COPY B. 



COPYRIGHT 

1905 

BY THE AUTHOR 



THIS BOOKLET IS INSCRIBED 

TO 

THE REV. ANDREW S. FICHTHORN 

PASTOR OF THE CHURCH OF THE HOLY COMMUNION 

PHILADELPHIA 



^be Storm Mwq'b Swa^» 

Lywarch : "See yonder leaf driven by the wind ; woe for him who has 
the li^:e lot ! it is old tho born wiihiu the year. 



Restless, driven hither, thither, 
By the wind's tempestuous sway, 
Feeble resignation marking 
Thy discordant, waning day — 

Born upon yon stately oak-tree 
Standing boldly bald and sere. 
Yet begetting with each spring-tide 
Leaves which pass within the year. 

Crumpled leaf I do bewail thee, 
Mourn thy sadly solemn lot, 
Born a giant race to shelter, 
Thou didst fall to die and rot. 

Sad the life that learns thy precepts. 
By the storm-king's fury rent, 
I'ossed about life's maze a shadow. 
Aged ere the day is spent. 



FORE - WORD 



The arrangement of this biography is dramatic, its 
style is epic. As the drama seeks to portray life, its 
wavelike rise and fall is peculiarly fitted to describe the 
varied career of so remarkable a man. The epic has ever 
been the heroic of English verse. A too-close adherence 
to biblical language and detail has detracted from the 
epic's majestic tread. Poe is correct in ascribing defects 
to a form of verse that can not be equally sustained. 

The life of Solomon has been chosen after a roll-call 
of Old Testament characters because it presents more 
elements that make for success and failure than any other. 
Ancestry, environment, inherent capabilities, faith and 
faithlessness contribute to mould and batter an earth-born 
son of Israel's shepherd king. 



CONTENTS 

PACK 

Book l. 
AdoDijah's Rebellion 17 

BOOK 11. 
The Struggle for Supremacy 33 

BOOK 111. 
High Tide 53 

BOOK IV. 
Receding- Waters • 73 

BOOK V. 
The Strand's Wreck:a.e:e 91 



Iktno Davib'8 Eartb*Born Son 



BOOK I 



ADONIJAH'S REBELLION. 

"Thou art my son," King David sang of Christ, 

"My heaven-born Son and heir. To Thee belongs 

All praise and honor, son and Lord combined." 

Alas, King David had an earth-born son 

As well, one who essayed to sit upon 

His throne and rule the people of his God. 

Grant us to sing the deeds, the love, the zeal, 

The worthy aspirations of this son. 

And sadly to narrate his overthrow. 

Strong in his strength, he proves too weak at times 

When courage, faith and right should have prevailed. 

Rebellion marks the advent of his reign, 

As Adonijah reasons with himself : 

"King David's days are drawing to a close, 

The mighty monarch once, a weakling now, 

Awaits a strength that will not come again, 

A death which tarries long before his door. 

I, Adonijah, rightful heir by birth. 

Must straight prepare to wear the regal crown. 

Come, Joab, lend me chariots and men 

And fifty runners added unto these. 

In order that the people may become 

Accustomed to regard me as their lord. 

I need thy service, captain of the host, 



1 8 KING David's earth-born son. 

And thine, Abiathar — thou art high-priest — 

That we may journey to Zoheleth's stone 

Near by En-rogel and there sacrifice." 

To which Abiathar, the priest, responds : 

"Fat cattle, sheep and oxen we must slay ; 

And call the men of Judah and the sons 

Of David to enjoy these rites with us." 

"To all things," Joab answers, "I agree; 

One son, however, we can not invite, 

He whom his father chose to follow him. 

And whom they say the Lord Himself hath called; 

Zadok, the just, the second priest in rank, 

Benaiah, captain of the king's own guard. 

And Nathan, who as prophet raised his voice, 

Together with some other mighty men 

Of state, who clearly indicate their choice. 

Must not be asked, for they might else betray 

Our secret ere we have proclaimed him king." 

These words lend joy to Adonijah who 

Exults to find his friends are friends indeed : 

"Thou speakest true, my cousin, as thou art, 

Benaiah's name and force we do not need. 

Thy mighty valor shall alone suffice ; 

The Edomites do tremble at thy name 

No more than those shall quake who do refuse 

Me liegedom. Thou hast always been upon 

The side of right and as thou hast not feared 

Thyself to be the executioner 

Of David's beautiful but lawless son. 

So now thou standest with the rightful heir, 



ADONIJAH S REBELLION. I9 

Who must succeed his father ere he die, 

Or treason intervenes and makes us slaves." 

The general bows acknowledgment and says : 

"I thank thee, Adonijah, for the praise 

Which thou bestowest on a loyal man. 

It seems to me, my lord, we can not fail ; 

One of the line of Ithamar doth aid 

Us in our task and lend his station's seal. 

The priest who stands within the sacred tent, 

To whom the covenantal ark is shown. 

Is here to sacrifice and to anoint 

Thee king of greater David's greater realm." 

The priest is growing restless as he sighs : 

"The hovir draweth nigh, we must away! 

Assemble thou the people, Joab. I 

Must go to choose the sacrificial beasts. 

Meet us, fair prince, near by the well where we 

Shall execute these plans without delay," 

* * * * 

The prophet Nathan comes to Bathsheba, 
Fear plainly written he can not disguise : 
"Fair Bathsheba, I come with startling news. 
Nay, pardon me, I should not thus begin. 
And call forth fears which make you tremble so ; 
Pray heed my message to its very end, 
In order that we may invent a course 
Whereby to thwart rebellion in its germ. 
The people cry 'the son of Haggith reigns,' 
They have assembled to the south of us, 
Where Adonijah has prepared a feast 



20 KING DAVID S EARTH-BORN SON. 

And where he bade the High-priest sacrifice. 

Stern Joab has become conspirator, 

They have invoked the aid of many men 

Whom they are feasting and so bribe to cry 

'Long Hve the king, hail, Adonijah, hail!' 

The sound hath traveled from the board and soon 

Shall make our streets reverberate its strains. 

We ought act quickly to offset its charm, 

To warn our monarch of his pending doom 

And place the crown upon the chosen heir." 

The mother of the youthful prince is stirred : 

"My sovereign lord and husband promised me 

That I should be the mother of a king. 

When first he bade me leave Uriah's home 

And I did shudder at the very thought. 

His pleasing words convinced me it was right, 

And now the store of my persuasive power 

Shall make him feel his duty to my son. 

Why has he asked thee, Nathan, to instruct 

The lad, why has he been so kind to him. 

Why exercise his favors all this time. 

And now refuse the plea which I shall make?" 

The prophet has a plan which he unfolds : 

"Go, Bathsheba, present thyself to him 

And urge thy suit in pleading, earnest tones ; 

Speak kindly to him but be firm withal, 

Recall his promise, tell him the report, 

Ask him if it is done with his consent, 

And whilst thou speakest I shall enter in, 

Proclaim the self-same news, confirm thy words. 



ADONIJAH S REBELLION. 21 

Shall we surrender to rebellion's sway, 

And lose our lives in an unworthy cause? 

Shall traitors sit upon this sacred throne. 

Or shall we end their rule ere it begin?" 

The queen assents and follows his decree : 

"Thy words are words of wisdom, man of God, 

I go, and if thou follow me forthwith. 

We shall succeed in this our enterprise." 

A reverie comes o'er the prophet now : 

"O mighty monarch, how thy strength has fled, 

A shepherd boy who has outgrown his rank. 

Become a valiant king of God's own race, 

A man of war, a man of peace as well. 

Feared by the world, beloved by thine own, 

A poet in the chamber, on the throne 

A statesman, in thy heart a noble man 

Whom, tho' the world has tempted, has not won. 

And now, alas, and now, a child again 

Which others fondle, and which they must guide. 

Is it not pitiful, this latter scene. 

An oak decaying forced to yield its sway!" 

5{C SJC 5|C ^ 

The king is seated, near him stands a maid, 
Abishag, who in humble manner serves, 
Awaiting his requests and answering them. 
The queen on entering bows before her lord. 
Who can not brook the sight and questions her : 
"Why doth my queen lie prostrate at my feet, 
What burden rests upon her troubled soul. 
Why doth she not approach me as her wont, 



22 KING DAVID S EARTH-BORN SON. 

With light and blithesome step, with gracious mien, 

Why is she sad and pensive? Let her speak." 

Whereon the queen in trembling voice replies : 

"My lord, didst not thou swear to me of old 

That Solomon our son should follow thee 

Upon the cherished throne of Israel?" 

The king remembers that he made this pledge : 

'T have not countermanded this decree. 

Why dost thou vex me with such questions now, 

Shall I not be your king unto the end?" 

The queen feels he is grieved and tries to soothe : 

"King David, do not take my words amiss; 

Long live, my lord, and yet thou canst not know 

Of what has passed. 'Twas this that brought me here. 

'King Adonijah reigneth' comes a shout 

Which fills my heart with dread and grief at once. 

Thou tremblest, king; yes, I did tremble, too. 

Yet know that this report is but too true. 

Fat cattle, sheep and oxen he hath slain ; 

In great abundance he hath sacrificed. 

Near by En-rogel all this has occurred. 

He has invited all thy sons, my lord. 

Except thy servant Solomon, my son." 

Alarmed, the king gives vent to pent-up fears : 

"I cannot grasp the situation quite, 

A son enthroned before his father dies, 

Without a consultation or decree?" 

Yes, Bathsheba has struck the longed-for chord : 

"Nor can thy people understand it, lord. 

For they have turned their eyes to thee for aid, 



adonijah's rebellion. 23 

They wish to know from thee who shall be king," 
In lamentation David cries aloud : 
"Alas, my son, thou second Absalom, 
Conspiracy which takes its fated birth 
In our own homes is difficult to bear. 
If he has acted thus to me, how will 
He act to mine when I am dead and gone?" 
Continue, Bathsheba, thou must succeed! 
"Again thou provest thine unselfish self. 
These fears have brought me to thy mercy-seat 
To ask thee, spare thy wife and spare thy son. 
Let them not fall a prey to traitors' swords ; 
If Solomon shall reign, proclaim him king!" 
This speech is hardly ended when there comes 
A servant, stating Nathan is at hand. 
And begs to be admitted to the king. 
On being ushered in he deeply bows. 
His face is to the ground in servile form. 
The king, beside himself, demands to know 
The reason why his friend is so much grieved : 
"What means this strange behavior in my court? 
A moment scarce hath Bathsheba retired, 
Who also came with courtesies and bows 
Which made me bend beneath the weight of years. 
Thy countenance seems bathed in deeper grief 
Than thou dost care to speak of. Am I right?" 
The prophet summons courage and responds : 
"Long live my lord the king, thou David, king 
Of all our realm, though others would deny 
The truth of these my earnest, heartfelt words. 



24 KING DAVID S EARTH-BORN SON. 

Hast thou decreed another shall be king; 

Hast thou encircled him with mighty men ; 

Hast thou absolved thy throne without a word 

Of information or advice^ my lord? 

I have been true to thee, shall I not know 

The reasons why the people shout with glee 

'Long live king Adonijah, hail, king, hail.' 

Fat cattle, sheep and oxen he hath slain ; 

In great abundance he hath sacrificed ; 

Near by En-rogel all this has occurred. 

He has invited all thy sons, my lord, 

Except thy servant Solomon, the wise. 

'God save king Adonijah,' they do shout 

With great rebellious tumult and good-will. 

But me, thy servant, they did not invite, 

Nor Zadok, nor Benaiah, nor thy son. 

Is this thy wish, my lord, or is it theirs?" 

Can Nathan penetrate the depths of hearts 

And not discern their crushed and abject state, 

Can he remain impassive while the king 

Recites a gloomy tale he knows full well? 

"Thou knowest, Nathan, of my troubled life. 

Didst thou not reason with me once before? 

Alas, how strange that people call me great. 

That they do envy me my grievous lot! 

Have they experienced woes like unto mine, 

Have their sons dealt with them as mine with me? 

And this it is to be esteemed a king. 

Uncertain of the foibles of one's house. 

Go, Nathan, go, and let me think upon 



adonijah's rebellion. 25 

A proper course of action to pursue. 

O Absalom, my son, how can I bear 

To think of thee a traitor who shouldst wear 

Thy father's state without, his soul within. 

But thou hast died and left me to decide 

Between another traitor and a liege." 

The man of God withdraws, and David, plunged 

Into a reverie, thinks hard and long. 

Aroused therefrom he calls a servant who 

Is asked to go and bid the queen appear. 

Again the queen lies prostrate at his feet, 

But he commands her to arise and hear: 

"The Lord that hath redeemed my soul from hell 

Shall witness what I tell thee and confirm. 

The oath which I have sworn shall stand secure ; 

Thy son and mine shall reign in David's stead." 

The queen bows with her face to earth and goes. 

The servant is commanded to arise, 

Call Zadok and Benaiah, Nathan, too. 

The priest and prophet, captain of the guards, 

Assemble and await their king's command. 

In no uncertain tones he speaks to them : 

"Take Solomon, my son, to Gihon's strand, 

Let him be mounted on the royal mule. 

Thou, Zadok, priest, and Nathan, prophet thou, 

Anoint him king with consecrated oil, 

As Saul and I were crowned, so shall he be. 

The sacred oil on Zion's mount hath not 

Lent sanction to the reign of him proclaimed. 

Blow with the trumpet, shout 'God save the king,' 



26 KING David's earth-born son. 

Shout with a will until the echoes ring. 
Then bring him to the city, let him mount 
My throne, for he shall lord it in my stead ; 
Both Israel and Judah shall be his." 
Benaiah, captain of the guards, rejoins : 
"Amen, amen, the Lord God say so, too, 
As he hath been with thee so may he be 

With Solomon and magnify thy throne." 

* * * * 

At Gihon's pool a joyful host is seen, 

The prince is riding, while about him throng 

His retinue and people of all clans. 

The priest has raised the sacred horn and speaks : 

"With this horn I anoint thee, Solomon, 

To rule o'er all the realm of Israel. 

May God whose priest I am and whose this oil, 

Confirm thy father's dictate and extend 

The borders of thy heart and of thy land." 

Tlie coronation ends in revelrie, 

The people pipe with pipes, they shout with joy, 

'God save the king. King David's earth-born son.' 

* * * * 

En-rogel is an animated scene 
As Adonijah feasts his followers. 
Abiathar feels they must not delay 
But be about the duties crowding fast : 
"The day is drawing to a close and ere 
It passes we must carr}^ out our plans. 
Up, men^ revolt 's the word to win the day. 
Shall we remain in sluggish attitude, 



adonijah's rebellion. 27 

Shall we allow another to ascend 

The throne while we do pass the day in mirth? 

Unless each girds himself and cries aloud, 

Unless we fill the city with our din, 

Our cause is lost and we shall be destroyed." 

The ear of Joab trained to hear each sound, 

Detects the trumpet's blare at Gihon's pool : 

"Wherefore the noise afar? It seems to me 

The city is in uproar, whence this blast? 

And now a shout^ it does sound wondrous strange. 

My heart misgives me for methinks it means 

Another has been crowned while we did feast. 

Behold here cometh Jonathan, a friend, 

And yet his speed betrays all is not well." 

To quiet him calm Adonijah says : 

"Nay, Joab, do not be so ill at ease, 

He cometh as the harbinger of peace. 

'Hail, Jonathan, what tidings dost thou bring? 

Thou art a valiant man, so be thy news.' " 

Whereunto Jonathan replies in gasps : 

"Too valiant, lord, as thou shalt straight discern ; 

The friends of Solomon have been afield. 

King David hath proclaimed him as the heir 

Who even now doth sit upon the throne. 

Zadok, Benaiah, Nathan, and a host 

Of Cherethites and Pelethites complete 

The train which follows him and shouts for joy. 

Already king, the city rings with praise, 

And David leads the tumult with assent." 

Affrighted by the speech, the guests arise 



28 KING David's earth-born son. 

And straight disperse midst consternation's sway, 

While Adonijah, fleeing, grasps the horns 

Of yonder altar as he seeks to place 

Himself beneath the gracious care of God. 
* * * * 

A messenger tells Solomon of what 

Has happened, tells him Adonijah's dread : 

"My lord, thy brother Adonijah fears 

The judgment which shall be pronounced on him. 

He hath laid hold upon the altar's horns, 

Appealing to the grace of God and thee. 

Let Solomon, the king, swear that he will 

Not slay his contrite servant with the sword." 

The king demands that he be brought to him. 

The frightened rebel crouches as he comes. 

Not knowing whether doom or grace be his. 

In slow and measured tone the king declares : 

"Hadst thou been king, my mother's life and mine 

Would be in peril, or perchance cut olT. 

And yet my father's heart must not be grieved 

With endless tragedies and bitter deaths. 

Conduct thyself a worthy man, do not 

Lend ear to insurrection's cry. 

Go to thy home. As long as thou art true, 

Not one of thy fair hairs shall fall to earth." 

The king withdraws, and Adonijah speaks 

To Bathsheba, whom he requests to ask 

His master for Abishag's hand and love. 

"He is thy son and will not say thee nay." 

The queen, quite flattered, yields to his request. 



ADONIJAH S REBELLION. 29 

Alone he muses thus in subtle strain : 

"Perhaps my plan shall carry. Even now 

A restlessness among the ranks betrays 

The present king can not maintain his throne. 

A certain prestige shall be mine if I 

Succeed in winning our late monarch's wife. 

'Twere folly I should ask the king this boon, 

'Tis wisdom to entrust it to her care, 

Whose vantage point, as lady of the realm. 

Secures her audience and obtains her wish." 

While he is musing thus before the throne, 

The king soliloquizes to himself: 

"And this it is to be a king, pursued 

By evil thoughts, by malice and intrigue. 

How oft my subjects seem to rise in dreams 

Which do not wait for seasons of the night. 

But come while I do fear and meditate. 

Ah, yes, my reign will be secure when they. 

My adversaries, yield their spirits up. 

Benaiah shall slay Joab, and so rid 

My kingdom of this blood-stained, brutal man. 

Abiathar, a better doom is his, 

My father's faithful follower, my foe, 

In baneful banishment shall bide his time. 

The ruined house of Saul in Shimei 

Breathes insolence^ and threats to rise again; 

Hence he, too, must be exiled from my realm. 

This ends the list, for Adonijah swore 

To be obedient to the rules of state." 

The mother of the king appears, and he 



30 KING DAVID S EARTH-BORN SON. 

In saddened yet in gracious mood receives 
His visitor as he doth bow to her. 
Then, sitting on his throne, he bids a seat 
Be brought for her beside him on the right. 
The mother deems his act an omen of 
Good will and friendly feeling, hence begins : 
"One small request I ask of thee, my son, 
And pray thee say not nay to this my plea." 
The king, assured that all is well, rejoins : 
"Ask on, my mother, I'll not say thee nay." 
He did not guess the import of her plea: 
"Pray let thy brother win Abishag's hand. 
And thus not feel the wounds that fester so ; 
His plight is pitiful, my plea is small, 
A single woman shall prove ointment rare." 
Enraged, the king can not conceal his wrath : 
"Why dost thou ask Abishag for this man? 
Why not demand the kingdom and my throne? 
Why not plead for Abiathar, the priest. 
Or Joab, or some other foe of mine? 
I swear by Him above to take the life 
Of this conspirator and hush his clan. 
Go, servant^ tell Benaiah take a sword 
And fall on Adonijah that he die 
(To his mother) 

This is my answer! 
(To the servant) 

This is my decree! 
* * * * 



BOOK II. 



THE STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY. 

As one aroused from optimistic dreams, 

Delightful for the buoyancy they bring, 

The king appears quite early on the mount, 

On which the covenantal ark is seen. 

A radiant countenance and spotless garb 

Betoken pleasure in his morn of life : 

"Ye people, hear me while I shall narrate 

A dream I dreamed amid the shades of night. 

Jehovah came and stood before his liege ; 

I saw Him not^ but heard His wondrous voice : 

'Ask me what I shall give thee,' it declared. 

Whereon there was a silence as I thought 

In reverential manner of the task 

Imposed upon my feeble, conscious self. 

'Unto thy servant David thou hast shown 

Great mercy, and the boon Thou grantedst to 

My father Thou didst grant because he walked 

In truth, in righteousness, and strength of heart. 

The final prayer he uttered Thou hast heard. 

His son Thou hast permitted to ascend 

The throne which once was his and now is mine. 

O Lord, my God, as thou hast made me king, 

And I am but a little child that knows 

Not how to go or come, to think or do, 

That knows not how to govern Thine elect, 



34 KING DAVID'S EARTH-BORN SON. 

Now grown to such proportions they can not 

Be numbered, much less ruled by human will, 

Pray give thy servant a discerning heart 

To judge Thy people, knowing good from bad; 

For who is able otherwise to rule 

So great a people in sincerity.' 

This speech was pleasing to the Lord of Hosts, 

Who straight replied in heartfelt promises : 

'Because thou hast asked this thing and not life, 

Nor riches for thyself, nor death for those 

Who do oppose thy counsels and thy realms. 

Discernment thou shalt have in judgment's sway, 

An understanding heart with wisdom fraught. 

So that like unto thee there never was 

Nor ever shall be any man on earth. 

To these gifts I have added those which thou 

Didst not because of selfishness demand. 

Thou shalt be rich, and honor thou shalt have, 

If thou wilt walk within the ways of truth ; 

If thou wilt keep my statutes and decrees, 

As did thy father David, in his time, 

Thy days I'll lengthen, and thy walk attend.' 

As he had finished I awoke, and, lo. 

It was a dream, but such a dream. 

It quickened me and sent me forth in joy 

To worship at His altar, and to bring 

A sacrifice well-pleasing to my Lord. 

Fat cattle, sheep and oxen we must slay 

And call the men of Judah and the sons 

Of David to enjoy these rites with us," 



THE STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY. 35 

The smoke ascends ; the prayer is truly heard ; 
Burnt offerings rise in incense clouds of peace. 
Again the servants meet about the board — 
Of Adonijah — No, of Solomon. 
The feast prepared, the servants shout in glee : 
"Long live king David's earth-born son, our lord." 
Again, and once again, the cry is heard, 
It brings the distant welkin to close range. 
Auspiciously, indeed, this reign begins, 
As servants rise to execute their vows, 
To render homage to their lord, obey 
His dictates and extend his father's sway. 
* * * * 

Arising from the feast he seeks the gate 
Where justice rightly tempered reigns supreme. 
How long the line of those who seek redress, 
Who place their confidence in him, their king. 
One judgment falsely rendered on this day 
On which his task begins will bring him low, 
But if, perchance, dependent on the pledge 
Which re-created him, he wisely speaks, 
The line on future days will be less long. 
A silent prayer it offered,. "Help me. Lord, 
In this most trying moment of my life. 
May I obey the voice which bids me rule ; 
Impartial, just may my decisions be." 
The judgment has begun as men portray 
The wickedness of others and themselves. 
It is not difficult to see the right, 
And to chastise the wrong, the flagrant wrong. 



36 KING David's earth-born son. 

Too long the catalogue of glaring sins 
Would prove: uncleanness and adultery, 
Idolatry, witchcraft and heresies, 
Deep-seated envyings by murder sealed. 
Base hatred crowned by variance and strife, 
While drunkenness and revellings abound ; 
Wrath, emulation and lasciviousness, 
Seditions, fornications and such like. 

The test has come which shall portray the strength 
Of David's earth-born son and Israel's king. 
Two women steeped in galling, heinous sin, 
Bondwomen of the flesh, not reared to shame. 
Two women who have chosen their abode 
Beneath the self-same roof for self-same ends. 
Alluring men from paths of righteousness. 
And urging them to tarry for a while. 
Forgetful of the image they portray. 
Appear before the king in shameless guise. 
Two infants they have brought with them. 
The one is -dead^ the other is alive. 
Conflicting rumors shroud the motherhood 
Of these two children, neither claims the dead. 
The king demands the plaintiffs to rehearse 
The circumstances of this two-fold claim, 
Whereon one of the women tells the tale : 
"My lord, we dwell together in a house 
In which a child was born to me one day. 
The third day after, in this self-same house, 
Another child appeared, this woman's child. 



THE STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY. 37 

Alone we tarried, none would share our shame, 

The night hung heavy and we slept secure. 

So soundly did she sleep she overlaid 

Her child and snuffed its little life right out. 

At midnight she arose and took my son 

And laid him in her bosom, while she put 

Her dead child in my bosom in his stead. 

When I arose quite early I observed 

A dead child, not my son which I did bear." 

"Nay," said the other woman, " 'tis not so. 

This is my son that liveth, yours is dead." 

And womanwise they parleyed till the king 

Stopped their conilicting speeches with reproof: 

"One saith, 'This is my son,' the other, 'Nay,' 

The whole child can not be of both, hence I 

Must give you each a half^ and so decree. 

Come, servant, bring a sword, I shall be fair, 

And rend the child in equal halves for you." 

Then spake the woman whose the living child 

In sorrow, for she yearned upon her son : 

"My lord, slay not this precious living child, 

But give it to this woman as it is." 

"Nay," said the other, "it has been decreed 

A half for you, a half for me, 'tis just." 

The king made answer for the test approved 

His keen discernment and his telling wit : 

"Withhold the sword and give the living child 

To her who plead as only mother can, 

She is its mother, none can question it." 

The judgment which the king had judged 



38 KING David's earth-born son. 

Resounded through the realm, as Israel 

Both feared its king and feared its God in him. 

Opposing currents magnify the court 

Of Solomon now grown to wondrous state. 

The first of these is that which God controls. 

Who gives him wisdom, understanding fair, 

A heart acquiring largeness as the sand 

Upon the wide expanse of ocean's strand. 

Egypt, sage Egypt and the Orient, 

Steeped in a mystic thought of deepest dye. 

Are but ephemeral compared with songs 

And proverbs, judgments, wisdom's embassy, 

Proceeding from this man^ the friend of God. 

Ethan the Ezrahite and Mahol's sons 

Wisest of men Darda, Chalcol, Heman 

Can not compare with him of fame supreme. 

Three thousand proverbs he indicts all told, 

A thousand songs and five he has composed. 

The cedar growing on fair Lebanon 

Is strongest of the monarchs he describes. 

While puny hyssops springing from the wall, 

Ignored of man, employed in sacrifice. 

Do not escape the vision of the king. 

He speaks of beasts, of fowl, of creeping things. 

Of fishes and the waters they adorn. 

So far his fame has spread from East to West, 

The rulers of the nations bring their courts 

To learn the oracles of man and God. 

They marvel as they find his wisdom's bounds 



THE STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY. 39 

Far greater than they thought or even dreamed. 

Such is King David's son^ the friend of God. 

Another current rising is unseen, 

Unfelt, unknown until it is too late. 

The monarchy outgrows its simple state ; 

In part 'tis natural that it should be so. 

The pomegranate tree in Migron's vale 

Beneath which tarried Saul, six hundred men 

His retinue, no longer will suffice. 

The court of David and his palaces. 

To Bathsheba a maze which baffles her 

As she proceeds from good Uriah's home, 

Becomes insipid as she seeks to wield 

Maternal honors which the slaves respect. 

Through various wiles, through flattery and skill 

The steward is her ally and the court 

Is rendered more complex and wonderful. 

Than ever it has been. New chariots 

Are added first of all for pomp and power. 

And forty thousand stalls with steeds for each. 

Twelve thousand horsemen must attend the king. 

And officers must gather straw and grain 

For dromedaries, horses and the mules. 

About the king are princes who are priests, 
Recorders, scribes, financial agents, chiefs. 
Twelve officers provide the pantry's store. 
One for each month, for every district, one. 
The nation lives as once it lived before 
When dancing round the molten calf, beneath 
The shadow of Mt. Sinai's righteous peak. 



40 KING DAVID S EARTH-BORN SON. , 

In dance and song, in revelry and mirth 

The people spend their time and serve their king. 

Queen Bathsheba has learned her son desires 

To rear a temple for Jehovah's praise, 

Which she doth argue must not be allowed, 

For it will prove the overthrow of gods 

And of affinities established now. 

"High places must exist," she reasons well, 

"For they unite us with the Canaanite, 

Accepting symbols we accept their faith. 

Thus they shall subjugate themselves to us 

In outward life, which after all we crave. 

What matters it, corruption must exist, 

My son must rear high-places to the gods. 

To Chemosh, Molech, Ashtoreth and such." 

Upon the distant mount the smoke is seen ; 

The altar groans beneath its heavy load ; 

The worship festers and the fumes do stink. 

The image tells the tale of pandered self. 

Of loss of true religion and of lust. 

The struggle grows intense, if Bathsheba 

Prevails a momentary gain is felt, 

But Israel will rue its present state. 

Can Solomon withstand his mother's prayers? 

Devotion bids him follow her behest. 

The dream he dreamed, the father's parting prayer 

Arise before him in the silent night 

And beckon him to seek and follow light. 

sjc JJC IjJ Jjc 

The harem of the king is full, from north 



THE STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY. 4I 

And south they come, from east and west they come, 

Each far surpassing those who've gone before. 

As he surveyed his stalls and took delight 

In horses from Arabia and the plains^ 

He takes a passing interest in his wives. 

They are but vassals, he their lord and king; 

They are but women while he is a man. 

Degraded they have been, so let them be. 

The deepest feeling kindled is of lust. 

He knows no other thought save they are toys, 

Mere pla}i:hings for a moment of delight. 

"The orient demands it, T obey. 

When wearied with affairs of state the}'' shall 

Resuscitate my spirits, sing or dance. 

Shall cozen me and do whate'er I bid." 

Thus he looks on a problem which has not 

Perplexed him very much. The harem is 

Not yet the grievous monster it becomes 

In later years, as we shall see it soon. 

We can not help but pity thee, the son 

Who has not learned a mother's tender love, 

Who can not be content to concentrate 

His fond affections on a single soul, 

Who asks for women as a child for sweets, 

Nay rather as a vulture for its prey. 

But stop! the tide has turned. The Shulamite 
Has crossed his path, a virgin from the bounds 
Of northern Palestine, supremely pure 
And beautiful, who sees his father's son. 



42 KING David's earth-born son. 

She has not known the name of love before, 

When suddenly there glows within her breast 

An ardent longing as she meditates : 

"Ah, let him kiss me with the kisses of 

His mouth, more precious than the best of wine. 

The savour of thy ointments lends thy name 

Renown, hence virgins love thee, noble king!" 

The chorus raises loud its joyful strain : 

"Draw us to thee and we will gladly run." 

Whereon the maid replies in modest joy : 

"He has already asked me to his home." 

"Ah, happy woman, we rejoice with thee, 

Beloved of the loveliest of men." 

The maid assumes a growing confidence 

In those who share her joy and speaks of self : 

"Ye daughters of Jerusalem, behold 

Me tanned as tents of Kedar, comely still 

As curtains which adorn the royal tent. 

The sun hath made me black, in angry mood 

My mother's children exiled me from home. 

They made me keeper of the vineyards, but 

My vineyard I've not kept with greatest care. 

Thou shepherd king, for such thy father was, 

Tell me where feedest thou thy flock at morn ; 

Where does it rest at noon? I seek thy lair." 

"Return, return, in folly tarry not. 

But seek the fiocks, perchance you'll find him there. 

Half mockingly, half sadly comes the strain 

From lips of those who know the subtle king. 

Shall she return and seek her lowly home, 



THE STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY. 43 

Or shall she trust him who hath bid her come? 

No answer needed now for he is here, 

He who has known affection as a term 

Not as a feeling, which born in the depths 

Of heartfelt sympathy and sacrifice. 

Must banish selfish thoug-hts and jealous aims 

And mould a greater self for greater ends. 

"Let me compare thee to the royal steeds 

Which draw the chariots of Egypt's lord. 

Thy cheeks are comely, jeweled, and thy neck 

With chains of gold, is wonderfully shaped. 

We shall produce gold borders, silver studs, 

And let thee revel in thy jeweled pride. 

How fair thou art. my love, how very fair, 

Thy eyes are free from guile as those of doves." 

Quite filled with ecstasy a wordless song 

Wells up within her breast which reproduced 

In measured phrase might sound somewhat like this : 

"I am the rose of Sharon and as well 

The lily of the valleys midst the thorns. 

My love among the daughters is most true. 

An apple-tree among wild trees is not 

More gracious than my friend among the sons." 

* * * * 
King Hiram sends his servants to the son 
Of David, for he hears he has been crowned 
The sole, anointed ruler of the realm. 
King Hiram, lord of Tyre, ever loved 
King David, shepherd, warrior, friend of God. 
King Solomon reciprocates the call 



44 KING David's earth-born son. 

And greets his father's friend in pleading tone: 
"Thou knowest how that David could not build 
An house unto the name of God his Lord, 
For wars about him interfered too much. 
The Lord my God hath given me the rest 
My father sought, no warfare doth assail. 
Hence I desire to build an house unto 
The name of God as He Himself foretold 
In saying "Him whom I will set upon 
Thy throne shall build an house unto my name." 
Command thou therefore that they hew me trees, 
Fair cedars from the Mount of Lebanon. 
My servants shall be with thy servants yoked, 
Thy servants shall have hire as thou wilt ; 
Thou knowest there is none among our race 
Can cope with thy Sidonians in this art." 
When Fliram, heard the words of Solomon 
He greatly praised the God of Israel : 
"Twice blessed be the Lord this day for He 
Has been with David and his son." 
A letter he dispatches to his friend : 
"I have considered well the things which thou 
Hast asked and gladly sanction thy request. 
My servants shall bring timber from the mount 
U^nto the sea, whence I shall send the logs 
In floats unto the place thou shalt appoint. 
Where they shall be surrendered to thy care. 
Thou shalt provide my servants with their food. 
So Hiram gave to Solomon great trees 
Of cedar and of fir as he had asked. 



THE STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY. 45 

To Hiram Solomon gave in return 

Of wheat full twenty thousand measures, and 

Of oil round twenty for his household needs. 

Peace reigned supreme between these noble kings. 

A truce they formed amid a joyful throng. 

In friendly intercourse they meet and speak 

Of problems which confront them in their reign, 

Then challenge one another, to unfold 

Dark sayings, riddles, vague philosophies. 

Fines are imposed on him who can not guess, 

Hence they are keen and anxious to succeed. 

One asks : "What four small things are shrewd and wise?" 

The other answers, "I should say the ants, 

For though not strong they labor when they can ; 

The conies though a feeble folk yet build 

Their houses in the rocks, hence they are wise ; 

The locusts have no king, but they go forth 

By bands and live and toil in fellowship ; 

The spider taketh hold with many hands, 

And passes from the hut to palaces." 

"Yes, you have guessed the answer, 'Tis my turn: 

"What three things are there never satisfied. 

Yea, four things that say not 'it is enough'?" 

"The grave forever open to receive, 

The womb which has not born a single child. 

The earth not filled with water though it pours, 

The fire that gormandizes when it eats." 

Three things there are that do upheave the earth 

Four things there be it seems it can not bear?" 

"A servant when he reigneth and a fool 



46 KING David's earth-born son. 

When he is filled with meat, a glutton's share. 

An odious woman married in her prime, 

A handmaid that is heir to lady's place." 

"There be three things too wonderful for me, 

A fourth I can not fathom, what are they?" 

"An eagle's way as he doth cut the air, 

A serpent's way upon a jagged rock. 

The way of ships as they do plow the sea. 

And men as they hold intercourse with maids." 

"There be three things that navigate with skill, 

A fourth is comely, rare and to be praised?" 

"A lion which is strongest among beasts, 

A greyhound which is swift as arrow's flight, 

An he-goat, and the fourth you can not guess, 

A king 'gainst whom there is no rising up." 

"What plain effects does force bring in its train?" 

"When milk is churned resultant butter comes, 

The nose if it be wrung produces blood, 

So wrath brought to the surface brings forth strife." 

These are but some of m.any questions put 

By these two kings, some answered and some not. 

First Solomon is victor in the fray. 

Then Hiram seeking aid finds Abdemon, 

A Tyrian youth whose subtle wit unrolls 

The closely shrouded mysteries proposed. 

Thus Hiram proves the victor in the end. 

* :k * * 

The queen essays to plead with Solomon : 
"My son, why take the Shulamite to wife? 
She is beneath your rank, a keeper of 



THE STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY. 47 

The vineyards she has been, so let her be. 

Let her watch over grapes which yield you wine; 

She knows not what the rules of court demand, 

Her humble station will embarrass you." 

Whereon in panegyric strain he says : 

"How beautiful art thou, O Shulamite, 

The only daughter in thy father's home; 

The daughters of the sons of men rejoice 

In thee because thou art most fair and pure. 

Fair as the moon, clear as the sun thou art, 

And terrible as armies on parade. 

Thy tender feet are beautiful in shoes. 

Thy grace is seen anew in every limb, 

Thy neck a tower of ivory is like. 

Thine eyes are like the fishpools in Hesbon, 

Thine head upon thee is like Carmel's crown, 

Thy hair like purple and thy visage fair. 

Thy stature like a palm tree, can I check 

My pent-up feelings for so sweet a child?" 

"You are quite mad, my son, she's made you mad. 

A peasant girl with pleasant face enthralls 

A man who must be manly and not yield. 

Lest she shall rule your heart and bring you low." 

The king withdraws unwilling to abide 

And listen to his mother's passioned speech. 

A tremor seizes Bathsheba as she 

Doth feel her power wane, her son's increase. 

"Must I, the mother of a king, be made 

To feel another shall usurp my place. 

One so unlike^ who reared to shame will change ' 



48 KING David's earth-born son. 

The growing glory of our court and thwart 
The plans and purposes which I have wrought? 
Shall she offset high places now in vogue, 
And help the king to execute his plan 
Whereby the Canaanitish gods shall yield 
Their prestige and the God of Israel rule? 
Shall she demand of him a life of trust? 
Devoted to monogamy alone 
And thus deplete the harem growing fast? 
Shall she command and slaves obey her word, 
While I stand by in mute despair and wrath? 
My pride is injured, no, it shall not be! 
But if, that little word will not be checked, 
If he determines to offset my plea, 
He certainly shall rue the evil day, 
While I shall bear the burden ; right or wrong 
I must succeed, wherefore I must invoke 
The aid of Stewarts, butlers, servants, slaves, 
Of lords and counsellors of state and war. 
Who shall obey my dictates and commands. 

* * * * 
The Shulamite has donned her wedding dress, — 
More beautiful than ever she appears ; 
The ray which purity alone doth lend 
Proceedeth from her, fixing fast the gaze 
Of those who summoned to the marriage feast 
And who have come to taste the food in store, 
Forget their greed and feast their eyes upon 
The maid instead, while she in modest joy 
Is seated by her husband and her lord. 



THE STRUGGLE FOR SUPREMACY. 49 

"I am my beloved's. He is mine: 
His love sustains me while my sympathy 
Shall aid him in the burden he must bear." 
So earnestly he loves her he avows 
That he will lodge with her in villages 
To prove he has exalted her estate. 
He will arise quite early to go with 
Her to the vineyards she has left for him. 
If the vine flourish and the grape appear, 
If pomegranates bud, these be the things 
He will investigate with his true love. 
Has ever love been sung more pure than this, 
Has ever king decided for the right 
More carefully, 'gainst warning, bitter words ; 
Has ever maiden more deserved to hold 
The place of queen than she whose modest worth 
Reflects itself in pure and upright walk? 
King David's earth-born son hath chosen well, 
The struggle for supremacy is on. 
4: * * ^ 



BOOK III. 



HIGH TIDE. 

On Mount Moriah's sacrificial peak 

The temple stands in answer to the pledge 

King David took and Solomon assumed. 

A year almost this palace of the Lord 

Has waited for the opening of its gates, 

Delayed because the preparations for 

So great a day in Israel's history 

Must not be hurried nor one whit abridged. 

The autumn F'east of Tabernacles dawns. 

Two feasts are merged into a greater feast. 

The tabernacle, now to be displaced 

By its exalted heir and wondrous peer, 

Is brought from Gibeon^ where it has been 

The highest of high places, by the priests 

And Levites, messengers of God of old. 

The golden altar, table of shewbread. 

The vessels, furniture and all the things 

They found they brought unto this greater home. 

Another pilgrimage is made by those 

Who bring the sacred ark from Zion's Mount. 

As David and his host with martial strain 

Conveyed it to, so they convey it from 

This resting place for forty years of growth. 

In Tisri month of vintage-gifts, the priests 

Deposit in the holiest their charge. 

The king in all his royal state precedes 



54 KING DAVID S EARTH-BORN SON. 

The great procession on this festal day. 

The blood of beasts slain -as a sacrifice 

Floods streets and by-ways, brings the people peace. 

The worshipers assembled from afar 

Can not be counted in the outer court, 

They raise their paean and exalt their Lord. 

The ark is seen, for four long centuries 

The sight is not to be vouchsafed again. 

Now guarded by the cherubim, the ark 

No longer needs the king's protecting arm 

And he is seated in the honored place. 

Where he can act as master of the feast. 

The altar's steps are crowded with the priests, 

The Levites and musicians robed in white. 

The trumpeters send forth a mighty blast, 

A cloud has overshadowed them within. 

The glory of the Lord has filled His house. 

Then spake the king: "It is the Lord's desire 

That He may dwell in darkness where unseen 

He shall direct our weak and erring steps. 

This house I have erected to His name, 

Here He shall dwell, a settled place it is." 

Then, turning to the people, Solomon 

Pronounced a blessing on them while they stood : 

" 'We bless Thee, God of Israel, our Lord, 

Who spakest unto David and hast said 

T chose no city, but I first chose thee 

And gave thee courage to obey My word, 

Whereby thou shalt prepare the way for him. 

Thy cherished son, to build an house to me.' 



HIGH TIDE. 55 

The Lord hath done what He hath said of old. 

My father's kingdom I inherited 

And built an house as He hath prophesied, 

Wherein I placed the ark, the covenant 

Of God made with our fathers long ago." 

Ihen going up unto the altar, he 

Before the congregation spread his hands 

Toward Heaven and breathed forth this solemn prayer : 

"Lord God of Israel there is no God 

Like Thee, in heaven above, on earth beneath, 

Who keepest covenant and mercy with 

Thy servants that before Thee walk aright. 

As Thou hast promised so let it be 

And let Thy word be verified, I pray. 

The heavens can not contain Thee, shall this house 

Which I have builded be as great as they? 

Yet have respect unto my prayer, O Lord, 

And hearken to my earnest longing cry ; 

Permit Thine eyes to rest upon this house 

By night and day, here let Thy name abide, 

Here let Thy people pray, their prayer be heard. 

And with forgiveness heal their bruised hearts. 

When they be smitten by the enemy^ 

And knowing why, come here to rue their sins, 

Forgiving, lend them victory anew. 

If there is drought upon this land because 

Of sin and they here make atonement, heed! 

If there be famine, pestilence or plague, 

Hear, Lord, forgive the hearts that turn to Thee. 

Lo, if a stranger seek these gates, not one 



$6 KING David's earth-born son. 

Of Israel, protect him by Thy might. 
If captives led by foreign brooks we sing, 
Hear Thou to whom the song is raised and free! 
We are Thy people, hence we pray Thee, hear!" 
When he had made an end of praying, he 
Arose, for he had kneeled before the Lord, 
And standing blessed the people Israel : 
"The Lord our God be with us and incline 
Our hearts to Him, to walk in all His ways, 
To keep His judgments. His commands obey, 
This be our efifort, this grace may He grant." 
A sacrifice is ofifered to the Lord, 
The smoke of peace ascends as king of earth, 
And King of Heaven commune in bonds of love. 
One hundred twenty thousand sheep are slain, 
Of oxen two and twenty thousand bleed. 
In such magnificence the temple gates 
Are opened for the service of their God. 
The feast is held, twice seven days it takes 
To consecrate this building to the Lord. 
The feast is over and the people turn 
To wend their homeward way while they do praise 
Jehovah and His servant Solomon. 
* * * * 

The king appears before the queen in pride 
And fond elation o'er the people's praise. 
So suddenly a monarch of renown. 
This feeling overmasters him as he 
Surveys the past and present of his realm. 
A mere idea grown to be a fact, 



HIGH TIDE. 57 

The temple stands before his well-pleased eyes, 

And in its courts the vast array of men 

Whom he can order to obey his word. 

As he recites the happenins^s of the day. 

And dwells upon each incident with care, 

Recallin.s^ all the blessings of the Lord, 

The queen rejoices for she loves this Lord, 

And glories in the fact that Solomon 

f3as learned to know him better on this day 

Ot consecration of both house and heart. 

As he proceeds, however, with his tale, 

A deeply conscious self is straight revealed, — 

A different self than she has known before. 

A self such as a simple maid unfolds 

Whose sire has suddenly acquired wealth, 

Proud, overbearing, filled with false conceit. 

"No longer you will care for me as you 

Have oft declared you do, A mighty king." 

The Shulamite begins her plaintive wail : 

"No longer you will be content to love 

A maiden whom you have decoyed from fields 

And vineyards, from a distant rural home." 

Grieved by these words the humbled king replies : 

"As Tirzah, beautiful thou art, my love, 

As comely as Jerusalem my home, 

As terrible as banners borne by foes ; 

Turn, turn thine eyes from- me, they conquer me. 

Thy hair is as a flock of Gilead's goats, 

Thy teeth are as a flock of cleansed sheep ; 

A pomegranate cut in halves appears 



58 KING David's earth-born son. 

As do thy temples by thy locks concealed." 

"Nay," saith the Shulamite, "do not expend 

Your lavish praises on so mean a maid. 

Another surely will usurp my place 

And aid as is befitting such a king." 

Repressed a moment he asserts anew 

The feeling which arises in his heart. 

"Full three-score queens I count as mine to-day, 

And four-score concubines, add unto these 

The virgins without number in my court ; 

Yet there is one alone for whom I care, 

My dove, my undefiled in thought or deed. 

Her mother's greatest gift to David's race; 

The daughters saw her and beholding blessed; 

The queens and concubines proclaimed her praise. 

Their song has reached my ears, 'tis echoed thus : 

'Who is this queen that looketh radiant as 

The morn and fair as is the moon at night. 

As clear as the majestic sun by day, 

As terrible as hosts in drawn array?' " 

The Shulamite sighs to herself as she 

Unconsciously recites her misery : 

"I went into the garden where I walked 

Amid the trees and saw the tender plants ; 

I looked upon the vine and saw its growth ; 

The pomegranates budding I espied. 

I know not whence the feeling came which seized 

My soul and made me long to tread the soil 

Of my ancestral home and look upon 

The chariots and the armies of my land." 



HIGH TIDE. 59 

A sense of great oppression holds the maid ; 

She gathers all her energy into 

A sudden flight and a remorseful sob. 

The women raise their voices as they call : 

"Return, return, O Shulamite, return, 

Return that we may look upon thy face." 

She heeds their call and comes with measured step : 

"What will ye see in me, the Shulamite?" 

The chorus answering sings her wondrous praise : 

"How beautiful thy feet appear, O queen. 

In slippers which are delicately wrought, 

How matronly thy tread, how firm and true. 

No master sculpture can at all compare 

With thy most stately and most perfect form ; 

Such eyes and ears, so beautiful a mouth, 

A forehead broad, complacent without sign 

Of any struggle or a wish gainsaid. 

A perfect symmetry reveals itself 

In shoulders, breasts, and hips, in every line, — 

A master workman must have been employed 

To shape so true a pattern of our race. 

Hail, fairest thou of women, hail, all hail." 

In truth, the tide is running very high. 

King David's earth-born son has heard the voice 

Which bade him rear a temple and adore 

The Lord of Israel. Ag;ain this voice 

Ijade him select a queen who should be true 

And help him overcome each sign of wrong. 

Help him to lead a noble life and rule 

His people and his passions with great care. 



6o KING David's earth-born son. 

Are these thy attestations true, O king", 
Wilt thou remain thy father's loyal son, 
Jehovah's servant and thy true wife's spouse? 
A lofty reign is thine, thou hast subdued 
Thine enemies, subdue thyself as well! 

* * * * 
A passion seizes Solomon to rear 
More buildings as an emblem of his might. 
His mother is the power behind the throne. 
Who feels her son has lost his prestige with 
The people, and the Lord she claims obtains 
A homage which belongs to Solomon. 
What can she do to subjugate this Lord 
And incidentally resume the place 
Accorded to the mother of the king? 
For thirteen years the toilsome work proceeds ; 
The chisel's tooth bites into marble blocks. 
The skilful hand behind it deftly shapes 
The morsel which remains to grace the house 
Of David's earth-born son and render it 
More brilliant than the gorgeous home 
Of Him whom Israel would serve alone. 
On Ophel he erects his palaces. 
Among them we discern, as first our eye 
Surveys the situation, a great pile — 
The house of Lebanon's primeval grove. — 
One hundred cubits long and fifty broad. 
And thirty cubits high from base to crown. 
'Tis aptly termed for its great second floor 
Rests firmly on a base of cedar trees. 



HIGH TIDE. 6l 

Thrice fifteen trees in rows support these halls ; 

The ceiling is inlaid with cedar blocks ; 

The windows are arranged in equal rows, 

Three ranks illumine it, light against light. 

The doors and posts are square, the windows too, 

Light against light, three ranks are measured off. 

Two hundred shields of beaten gold adorn 

This structure, and three hundred bucklers of 

The same material grace this forest home. 

He made a porch of pillars for this house, 

'Twas fifty cubits long and thirty wide. 

Near it he made a porch wherein the throne 

Was placed, the palace porch, the Judgment Hall, 

Where Israel offended, might obtain 

Redress from all its wrongs from David's son. 

With cedar wood this hall was covered quite, 

From one side to the other of the floor. 

The red and scented sandal wood is used 

To build a staircase for the king, concealed 

From public gaze, on which he may ascend 

When going to the temple to adore. 

The water from the springs and reservoirs 

Upon the summit of the Mount assists 

The royal gardner in his enterprise 

As he prepares a beauteous landscape for 

The palaces and for the people's eye. 

The southern slopes reveal a wondrous sight 

Which he, the king, doth picture in his song: 

"I made stupendous works, and reared me homes, 

I planted vineyards, gardens, orchards and 



62 KING David's earth-born son. 

I planted trees in them of various fruits. 

I made me pools of water wherewith I 

Might water wood that bringeth forth the trees." 

In summer he repaired to cooler spots 

Where snows of Lebanon and sheltered walks 

Beneath the cedars lured the tired king. 

'Tis here he rears a residential tower 

Which looketh to Damascus and the plains ; 

Baal-Hermon's vineyard renders him its due. 

For such a king there must be strong defence, 

Hence he builds Millo to defend himself 

And all his people from the hostile bolts. 

No longer can the native tribes presume 

To be victorious over Israel. 

A chain of forts protects the growing state ; 

Store cities for provisions he doth rear 

And other cities for his cavalry, 

Still others to extend commercial sway. 

Erected on paved roads to every town. 

Fair Tadmor in the wilderness becomes 

A haven from the inroads of the tribes 

And an Emporium for the East and West. 

In midst of an oasis it portrays 

A beautiful and restful town of trade ; 

From far and near the camels quench their thirst 

At these perennial springs and underneath 

The palm the camel drivers take their ease — 

A splendid city as its ruins prove ; 

A thousand years it flourished and waxed strong. 

King Solomon, thy cup is running o'er, 



HIGH TIDE. 63 

It seems thou art thy father's son no more. 

* * * * 
The Koran says the hoopoe told the king 
Of a sagacious queen whose home was in 
The south, her throne of gold and silver and 
Of many precious jewels made. Alas, 
This queen with all her realm adores the sun! 
The king in tender mood sends her a plea, 
He asks ho to bow down before the Lord. 
Her people counsel her to go and call 
Upon a monarch of such great renown, 
For he has shown an interest in their land. 
Perhaps his fame is greater than is meet. 
Perhaps he cannot answer her demands. 
In going she doth arm herself full well 
With questions which imply superior skill. 
The wise men of her court have counselled how 
She may address and foil the haughty king. 
Jerusalem she visits with a train 
Of camels bearing worthy gifts for him, 
Gold, spices, precious stones, in countless store. 
And when she came to Solomon she told 
Him all that was within her troubled heart. 
She asked him, too, to answer her behests. 
To try this subtle king she first brought forth 
Some girls and boys dressed in the self-same way 
And bade him separate them if he could. 
He ordered water to be brought for all. 
Whereon he asked them all to cleanse their hands. 
The boys from habit put their hands right in, 



64 KING David's earth-born son. 

The girls stopped long enough to turn their sleeves. 
Again the queen essays to thwart the king. 
A wreath she held in either hand as she 
Asked him to tell her which was real and which 
Was artificial, and so cunningly- 
Had art produced a counterfeit that no 
One had been able heretofore to choose 
Between the two ; perplexed the king appeared. 
His reputation was at stake, it seemed 
A woman was about to snatch this prize. 
A moment only he delayed, when he 
Commanded, with a naturalist's keen sense, 
That they should open wide the windows and 
Allow some bees that hovered round about 
To enter, when of course his doubt was gone, 
For they alighted only on the one. 
When she had asked him to her heart's desire, 
And he had answered every question put. 
He showed to her his palace and its groves. 
She saw him seated on the lion-throne 
Of gold and ivory in cedarn hall, 
Where he dispensed to all their sovereign rights. 
She sat with him at board and drank with him 
From goblets of pure gold, and ate with him 
From precious lavers delicately wrought. 
When she had seen his wisdom and the house 
He built, the meat upon his table and 
The servants at his beck, the ministers 
Who waited on him in their wondrous robes^ 
The bearers of his cup and the ascent 



HIGH TIDE. 65 

By which he went unto the house of God, 
There was no spirit more within the queen. 
"The tidings that were told to me of thee 
Formed but the basis of this true report. 
1 did not dare beheve the words they said, 
Until I came and with mine eyes did see. 
Behold, the half was not revealed to me; 
Thy acts and thy great wisdom stand supreme. 
How very happy must thy servants be, 
Who, standing constantly before thee, hear 
Thy words of wisdom and behold thy deeds. 
The Lord thy God be blessed because He has 
Observed thee and has taken great delight 
In thee, to set thee on thy father's throne. 
The Lord loved Israel, hence made thee king. 
In justice both to rule and to obey." 
An hundred twenty talents of fine gold 
She gave the king ; of spices a great store ; 
And precious stones such as delight him much. 
King Solomon gave unto her as well 
Whatever she desired and asked of him. 
Of all his royal bounty he bequeathed 
Her very much. So she returned again 
Unto her people as she came, with gifts 
Of wondrous value and proclaimed the name 
Of Solomon and of the Lord of Lords. 

Ofif to the west there moves a caravan. 
It comes from Egypt by a route far more 
Direct than that which Israel pursued 



66 KING David's earth-born son. 

When broken down by bondage it desired 

A better home than Egypt could afford. 

The train draws nearer; the discerning eye 

Observes the chariots and horses which 

The king's ambassadors have bought for him. 

This king indeed a kingly merchant is. 

His stables must be furnished constantly 

With best of steeds in numbers which astound, — 

Four thousand and two hundred horses for 

His fourteen hundred warlike chariots. 

Six hundred shekels for a chariot, 

An hundred fifty for a horse was paid 

As profit *o the men who closed the sale. 

Two routes were chosen for this growing trade,- 

From Coele-Syria the one led to 

The Hittite city Carchemish upon 

Euphrates banks and thence to Haran and 

The Tigris, thence to Nineveh, from there 

To Babylon and to the Persian Gulf. 

The other loute led them thru Mecca and 

Thru Midian to Egypt's northern bounds. 

And yet the Psalmist sings a greater song 

Of them that go down to the sea in ships, 

That buffet wind and wave in their desire 

To traffic in the rich Egyptian stores. 

These caravans and vessels bring but one 

Report, they sing one song in Egyptland, 

As they do laud and magnify their king. 

To Amenophis court vague rumors drift 

Of Israel, a new-born, lordly race, 



HIGH TIDE. tj 

Of Solomon, a king beyond compare : 

"Far fairer than the sons of men he is, 

His hps are full of grace and blessings crowd 

Each other fast in his most active life. 

The smoky pillars in the distance seem 

But exhalations of fine frankincense 

And myrrh, choice perfumes of a regal type. 

About his bed at night when all is still, 

Full three-score valiant men are on their guard, 

And every man must keep his sword unsheathed. 

This king, e'en in his sleep, surpasses far 

The wonted lustre of the highest courts. 

His bed, a chariot of cedar wood. 

Whose pillars are of silver wrought with care, 

The bottom is with richest gold inlaid, 

And purple draperies offset the whole. 

His arrows shall go forth and not return, 

His throne and sceptre shall remain alway." 

The king of Egypt visits Solomon; 

They form a compact and the truce is sealed 

In blood, for from henceforth they shall be one. 

The daughter of this Pharoah becomes 

The wife and counsellor of Israel's king. 

Queen Bathsheba rejoices, she has won ; 

The crown of David will no longer sit 

Upon the head of Solomon, for he 

Must have a crown which shall declare his might. 

A jewelled crown she places on his head 

upon the day on which the wedding feast 

Begins amid the people's forced acclaim. 



68 KING David's earth-born son. 

The rich kneel down before her and implore 
Her favor as they bring her wondrous gifts. 
The poet brings his tribute which declares 
She shall not rue her choice in leaving home, 
But shall rejoice as mother of a king — 
Base falsehood of a carping mind and pen. 
The tide is running high, the waters seethe 
And fume, while round about the masses wait 
To look upon the wreckage of the strand. 
An exiled people groaning loud and long 
Beneath the lash of Egypt's sordid king. 
Whose voice is heard in heaven, is led forth 
To serve Jehovah in the wilderness ; 
And there the masterhand of Moses is 
To weld a nation midst confusion's reign, 
A people joined by bonds of love and trust, 
A people passing thru the self-same fire. 
And showing strong allegiance to one God. 
A shout is raised, a song of praise is sung 
As on the borders of the promised land 
A mighty host prepares to enter in. 
The ensign is established, God is King. 
The people glory in His sovereignty 
As exercised by Judges and by Saul 
Before the evil spirit came on him. 
As clearly seen in David's childlike faith, 
And as portrayed by David's son and heir, 
Who reared a temple to the Lord supreme. 
From bondage into freedom was the course 
Which God prescribed as He from Egypt's sway 



HIGH TIDE. 69 

Released His chosen people, but alas 
A son of David turns to seek the gods 
And flesh-pots of a former master's land. 
The bondage which was thine sometime ago, 
Implied hand-service such as slaves afiford, 
Whose bodies are controlled by masters whims. 
Tlu; bondage now imposed by Solomon 
Implies soul-service such as heathen tribes 
Not conscious of the sense of right and wrong, 
Are asked to render to their stocks and stones. 
Queen Bathsheba, rejoice, thy race is run. 
Thy subtleties have proved the overthrow 
(^f Israel, and thou hast had revenge. 
If Solomon gainsays thy word, increase 
Thv wiles and let him know thy cruel might. 
The path is strewn with roses, all the lights. 
The gorgeous splendor of the feast, the gold 
And silver, precious stones and costly dress 
Are the accouterments of Solomon, 
Not David's heaven-born, but earth-born son. 



BOOK IV. 



RECEDING WATERS. 

The feast is over. As the Hghts grow dim 

The Sim reveals the board of yesterday 

No longer bright and beautiful but waste, 

Resultant of the ravages of man. 

A few years pass ; again we view the hall 

And palace of the king therein to find 

A desolation, not because there are 

No people in its precincts, but because 

The king has lost his sense of shame and fear. 

His heart so true before, "not perfect" now, 

Has spurned Jehovah's pleading, earnest voice. 

The simple life which once was Israel's 

No longer will suffice for him who goes 

To Egypt for his chariots and steeds. 

His articles of luxury and ease. 

And who in spite of protestations seeks 

A wife in the ertswhile oppressor's home. 

The law wherewith Jehovah bound His race 

^Vhile it was under Moses' zealous care, 

No longer seems to be in force, for it 

Doth clearly tell the king what he must do : 

"He shall not multiply unto himself 

Fair horses which shall take his heart from me; 

He shall not cause the people to return 

To Egyot to secure such steeds for him. 

For I the Lord have said and now repeat : 



74 KING DAVID S EARTH-BORN SON. 

Henceforth ye shall not tread on Egypt's soil. 
He shall not multiply unto himself 
Wives who shall turn his heart away from me. 
He shall not multiply unto himself 
Gold, silver, or the means of intercourse. 
Man's disobedience proved his overthrow 
Before, the second fault more heinous still 
Cries out against the chosen of the Lord. 
Strange women may be seen about the court, 
Among them Moabites and Amorites 
And Edomites and sad beyond compare 
Zidonians and Hittites, exiled tribes. 
The number is unparalleled as we 
Count seven hundred wives of Solomon, — 
Three hundred concubines complete the list. 
His heart content on serving God alone 
Sometime ago, becomes a heart of lust, 
Devoted to his wives and concubines. 
Whom he doth serve in abject slavery, 
Forgetful of the image which is his. 
The imdermining process has begun. 
An intellect, the pride of Israel, 
Becomes a servile, frenzied mass of sin — 
Directing-energy until it rots. 
Adultery, thou term of shame and death. 
Thy fang lies deeply buried in the heart 
Of David's earth-born son ; it poisons him 
And he transmits the sin to those about 
His royal court, to people of his land, 
To nations far and wide, to high and low. 



RECEDING WATERS. 75 

Base eunuchs swarm about him unrestrained^ 
Mere puppets they obey his carnal will, 
Arrange his harem with the greatest care 
And speed the low desires of the king. 
The character of Solomon has changed, 
No longer strong in judgment he becomes 
A tool to execute his counselors' will. 
Intoxicated by the life he leads, 
He leaves the judgment hall to satisfy 
His carnal longings and to view his wives. 
An apathy arises which destroys 
All self-respect, which makes him care for nought. 
In de-volution's arms the victim rests, 
Lulled by a morbid sense of calm repose, 
As powers wane and waning change the man 
Into a dog, a swine, a monstrous beast 
vVhich wallows in the mire of bestial joy. 
Thus falling from his high estate into 
A bondage worse than Israel endured 
When first the vassal of a western lord. 
It seems he cannot rise ; entreaties fail. 
The waters are receding, as the tide 
No longer high, exerts an outward force 
And diags the weakened monarch in its wake. 
Swim hard, O King, 'twill but accelerate 
Thy end and draw thee to thy waiting grave. 
Yes, I can see thee struggling from the shore. 
Thou v/ilt not yield until thou hast essayed 
To carry forth thy wondrous works of art. 
* * * * 



76 KING David's earth-born son. 

Is this the Shulamite, the charming wife 

Of Solomon? How changed she appears. 

Her step is not elastic as it was, 

Her head is not erect as it should be, 

Her eyes seem swollen from a recent flood, 

The furrows in her forehead's field disclose 

Upheavals wrought by sadness and despair. 

An agonized expression she presents 

When bowing in submission to her lord, 

Whom she desires to reclaim from sin 

And help him lead a better, nobler life. 

"My lord, attend unto the voice of one 

Who preaches chastity by living chaste. 

Regard discretion ere it be too late ; 

Strange women drop their words as honey-combs, 

Thcii' tongues are smoother than the softest oil. 

Alas, their end and thine as well, O King, 

Will be as bitter as the wormwood's taste ; 

Their end as sharp as any two-edged sword ; 

Their leet go down to death, their steps to heh. 

Remove thy way far from them, O my Lord, 

y)o not come nigh unto their brilliant halls. 

Do not let strangers dominate thy life 

And drag thy wealth and thee into the mire. 

The moment v^ill arrive when it shall be 

Too late for reasoning, as flesh and soul 

Shall be consumed in everlasting woe." 

Poor Shulamite, thy words do not convince 

A slave to passion, tho they do annoy. 

He can not look upon his downcast queen ; 



RECEDING WATERS. 77 

He dare not look upon her for the sight 

Of purity no longer is vouchsafed. 

In humble manner she withdraws as he 

Asks Bathsheba to counsel what to do. 

He can not hear her, see her, feel her near, 

For she, the Shulamite, appears to be 

A spectre present both by day and night. 

The one restraining voice that checks his life. 

Queen Bathsheba exults, her turn has come. 

'"There is one thing to do, one thing alone, 

Acknowledge thou hast been mistaken and 

Allow her to return unto her home. 

Thus free the court of this vain, selfish maid, 

Who feels she has been slighted, hence comes here 

To make thy life a burden and to speak 

To thee, a king, as if thou wert a rogue." 

A moment only he is steeped in thot. 

Such thot as such a weakling can assume, 

When, fear and anguish traced upon his face, 

He answers and commands in faltering tone : 

" Tis better so. I loved her, mother, but 

My love grows cold as I review her pride. 

O Shulamite, we must not meet again. 

Perchance you can rewin me from a life 

Which I do crave as drunkards crave their drink. 

Come, servant, heed and follow this behest. 

Let her who was my queen, the Shulamite, 

Be cloihed in garments of her former self, 

Let her be stripped of every vestige of 

The high estate to which I wedded her. 



78 KING David's earth-born son. 

Give her the crook wherewith the shepherdess 

May gently lead her sheep and lambs again. 

Send her from court and bid her stay away." 

The servant goes to carry out his task ; 

The king calls other servants, whom he bids 

To bring him wine that he may straightway drown 

The pangs that rise within his troubled breast ; 

Still others call the wanton dancing girls, 

And others bid musicians lend their skill. 

The music has begun, the girls appear. 

The goblet of the king is filled with wine. 

It will not down, the music will not soothe, 

The girls do not attract him with their songs. 

He must arise and pace the floor at will. 

He wanders to the lattice and beholds 

Without the castle-wall a shepherdess, 

More beautiful than ever she appears ; 

A tinge of resignation in this pure 

And lovely maid exalts her humble lot. 

She hears the music, sadly turns about, 

To look once more upon a home she loved. 

When suddenly the eyes of Solomon 

And of his queen of by-gone days exchange 

A glance which augurs more than pen can tell. 

A sigh of love she utters, he of loss. 

For even now he feels her solid worth. 

The die is cast! musicians do not stop! 

Dance all ye maidens, do not cease so soon ; 

Come, bring me wine, more wine, I crave for wine. 

A storm is coming, listen to the wind 



RECEDING WATERS. 79 

As it howls round the lattice in its rage. 

We need not care, our larder is well-filled, 

Our every want is satisfied with speed. 

"That glance it will not leave me, — and the storm!" 

The feudal lords can straight command a host 

Of servile subjects to obey their will. 

These massive continental ruins speak 

Of ages during which bond-service reigned. 

A man was not a man unless a lord ; 

In deepest degradation he assumed 

The role of slave and fed his master's whim. 

Taskmasters drove him onward when oppressed ; 

The lash of ignorance or tyranny 

Swung round his bruised head and battered frame. 

The needs of such a slave were very few, 

The master's power over him was great; 

Hence rose these citadels as monuments 

Of man's oppression of his fellow-man. 

Another source of revenue there was 

Employed by lords to swell their great estates ; 

Taxation just and unjust was imposed 

On vassals, foreigners and passers-by. 



Observe the court of Solomon, and you 
Will see the prototype of feudal days. 
The burden borne in Egypt is a straw 
Compared with unjust service placed upon 
The weary shoulders of a tired race. 



8o KING David's earth-born son. 

New cities rise in splendor on the scene ; 

New palaces become his pampered homes ; 

New fortresses lift up their haughty heads ; 

New roads are fashioned for this regal realm. 

Alas, the nation has outgrown its rank. 

"What shall I do?" the gluttoned monarch sighs, 

"New glories I desire and demand. 

Can I place greater imposts on this race? 

Can I, a lord, command and it be done? 

Queen Bathsheba, what shall I do to sate 

Mv growing hunger for infinitude?" 

This serpent in the garden of the Lord 

Creeps coyl\ to advise and gain redress : 

"The Helots have been driven to excess. 

They can no longer heed the captain's goad. 

Make Helots of the nations as is meet, 

Compel the Amorites, the Perizzites, 

The Jebusites, the Hittites and the rest 

To bow down in the dust and lend you aid. 

Send forth Adoniram thruout the land 

To make a levy for these growing needs. 

They hate him. Yes, 'tis true. Yet he knows well 

How, where, and when he may secure large funds. 

Your soldiers cry for food and armament ; 

Your body-guard must be arrayed in gold, 

In finery more dazzling than the sun. 

If you have ceded land to Hiram, give 

Him more, these distant towns do not avail." 

Advice born in a soul so deeply steeped 

In avarice, corrupts a tainted soul 



RECEDING WATERS. 8 1 

Still more and hurls it onward to its doom. 
A frenzied passion seizes him as he 
Demands his people to make sacrifice 
Not to his father's God, but David's son. 
Tithe upon tithe is added ; in dismay 
The people's voice cries out and will not cease. 
"A chastisement with whips," the elders say, 
"Has been inflicted on old age and youth." 
The fires of revolt are burning low; 
An added insult causes them to flare. 
Dost thou think, tyrant, that thou art secure 
In every act because thy people must 
Obey thy word, and dance as thou dost play? 
Taxation may become a greater load 
Than they on whom it falls can bear or will. 
* * * * 

Unique in all the history of the world 

Stands Israel, the people of the Lord, 

Jehovah's lonely child yet not alone, 

Proud of a heritage and of a name 

Surpassing other nations of the globe 

As heaven separates itself from earth, 

Or God from gods, the ruler from mere stone. 

"A chosen people Israel shall be 

To me, the living God of heaven and earth. 

I am the Lord thy God which brought thee forth 

From out the exiled home in Egyptland. 

No other gods before me thou shalt have; 

No graven image thou shalt make for thee ; 

No likeness of the things above, beneath. 



82 KING David's earth-born son. 

Nor of the life in waters under all. 

Thou shalt not bow thyself nor serve such gods, 

For I, thy God, am jealous of my sway." 

In early youth the prophet taught the king 

These precepts and in manhood's early day 

King David's earth-born son repeated them — 

Repeated them because he loved this Lord, 

Repeated them because he meant to do 

What they enjoined, to serve Jehovah, God. 

Th' Egyptian princess did not care to hear 

His recitation of a foreign creed. 

King Hiram's daughter found no great delight 

In decalogues, Mosaic books of law. 

Shall they adapt themselves to him, or shall 

His family altar fall a prey to them? 

The question is not easy, yet he feels 

A compromise is needed in this plight. 

"Broad-minded I must be and act," he claims, 

"What hinders me from serving God and these 

My wives from serving whom they choose to serve? 

Why should I force them to accept my faith? 

Why should my subjects tell me what to do? 

When first great Pharaoh's daughter came to me 

I built a house wherein she might reside, 

In order not to desecrate the home 

Of father David, king of Israel. 

I said the place is holy for the ark 

Of God hath been conveyed to it from far. 

Ha, Ha, such simple thots, a simple fool 

I was to place such barriers round about. 



RECEDING WATERS. 83 

But I have learnt a thing or two since then, 

A thousand instruments have soothed my mind, 

Fair chants to all the idols I have heard 

And find them very much akin to psalms. 

I have determined what I ought to dov 

On yonder heights the gods shall be appeased, 

An altar for each god, no favors shown. 

While Israel within the temple-courts 

Doth worship God, let incense mark the hills." 

To Ashtoreth, Sidonian deity, 

Queen Aphrodite's baser, unchaste self, 

The first of these foul altars is decreed. 

For she is queen of gods and heaven's choice, 

Baal's consort, he the sun and she the moon. 

Chemosh, subduer, Moabitish god. 

Is also honored on these mounts of fame. 

His stern and warlike mien betrays in him 

One unaccustomed to a life of ease. 

The wanton bloody rites portend but shame, 

A deeper shame v/hen practiced by a race 

Which wandering, wanders from, not to its God. 

A sanguinary cult on Milcolm's mount 

Portrays a hateful, lustful form and creed. 

Abomination of the Ammonites, 

Pair children sacrificed to fire's rule, 

A custom borrowed from the Canaanites. 

Before Jerusalem these altars stand. 

The Mount of OHves, "hill of scandals" now. 

Sends forth its fumes which winds do blow e'en to 

The temple-courts and straight pollute the air. 



84 KING David's earth-born son. 

Come, King Josiah, tarry not so long; 
Destroy the shrines which Solomon has reared. 
Base traitor of his people and their God ! 
Can woes be like the woes which he 
Hath brought upon a wounded, downcast race 
Which cries for manna and receives a stone, 
For pity and must take a horrid curse. 
For oil of gladness and obtains foul blood ! 
Ah, gape ye jaws of Milcolm, show the vast, 
Dread furnace which is but the way to hell. 
Idolatry, thou further monstrous sin, 
Thy venomed fang is buried in a king 
And nourishes supremely his desire. 
* * * * 
The way is long and dreary from the court 
To yonder mountain-heights to which the queen 
Of yesterday, a shepherdess to-day, 
Has turned her faltering footsteps as she seeks 
The regions where no mortal eye shall see 
Her state of anguish and of solitude, 
The regions where she may commune with God, 
Pour out her heart to Him, invoke His aid. 
Night weaves a mantle over all the earth. 
Hushed resignation marks weak nature's mood. 
A glen protects the woman as she rests, 
Rest after turmoil, harbinger of peace. 
The dew has bathed her ere the morn arrives, 
Her streaming locks are decked in moisture's garb. 
List to the words which come from sleeping lips : 
"Tho I do sleep my heart is wide-awake, 



RECEDING WATERS. 85 

P'or there has been a knocking at its gate ; 

And when I bade the stranger enter in 

I heard the voice of him who banished me — 

Ecstatic sound, 'My love, my undefiled*." 

I quickly rose to open wide the door. 

Alas, it was a dream, nought but a dream. 

He had withdrawn and he had gone. 

I sought him, but I could not find my love ; 

I called him, but the echo died away. , 

I went into the city near at hand. 

The watchman found me, smote and wounded me. 

The keepers of the walls removed my veil. 

^ e daughters of Jerusalem, lend ear. 

Go, seek my king and bring him back to me ; 

I can not live without him, I must die." 

The chorus of the daughters to appease 

The threnody thrust from a throbbing heart, 

Essay to comfort her with soothing sounds : 

'Why pine for thy beloved, noble child. 

Is he more than another who betrays 

Thy love and thrusts thee on a cruel world? 

Friend, thou art fair, the fairest of our sex. 

Hence why lament and mar thy beauty's field?" 

Whereon the queen of by-gone days replies : 

"My love is white and ruddy, chiefest man 

Among ten thousand lords, his head as gold, 

His locks are massive and of raven black. 

His eyes as eyes of doves on river's strand 

Bathed in a stream of milk and fitly set. 

As towers of perfume his cheeks emit 



86 KING David's earth-born son. 

A savor which his lips do supplement. 

Ask me not to describe so fair a friend 

Who altogether lovely is my spouse." 

A passion so intense may not be soothed 

Save by the music of the voice it craves. 

Cease, cease, ye women, words do not avail. 

Depart and grant the bitter-sweets of thot 

To roam the gardens and the palaces 

Where blossoming, a wondrous rose did grow 

Which waxed in fragrance and in beauty till 

A cruel storm plucked all its petals oflf. 

At home at last the Shulamite arrives. 

Her feet are bleeding from the stones they trod. 

Her breasts are wounded by the briar's spear, 

Her tresses tangled by the wild wind's rage, 

Her cheeks alternately display a flush 

Of modest shame, a palor as of death. 

And this it is to love with all one's soul. 

One sad and final lamentation swells 

And surges, offspring of a bleeding heart : 

"Do not forget thy dying queen, O King, 

Upon thy life this seal must be engraved. 

For love is strong as death and stronger than 

The powers which connive against its sway. 

As cruel as the grave is jealousy 

Which robs a noble lover of his love ; 

But coals of love are coals of fire, the flames 

Of which can not be quenched by water's might. 

Love is not measured as we measure fields, 

It is not weighed upon the trader's scales, 



RECEDING WATERS. 8/ 

It is not bound by time nor foiled by fate, 
It is a something that can bleed and die, 
And bless while dying him for whom it bleeds. 
1 have no waiting-woman to attend 
Me any longer, hence I can not send 
A last farewell to thee, beloved king. 
My prayer, however, shall ascend on high : 
'God of our fathers, deign to save the soul 
Of Solomon, my king, forgive Thou him 
As I forgive him freely all the wrong 
Whereby he brought on me this bitter end.' " 



BOOK V 



THE STRAND'S WRECKAGE. 

Jerusalem, thou city fair and high 
But yesterday, to-day a foulsome dank, 
Mounts Zion and Moriah, far above 
Thy putrid life, no longer solace thee. 
A seething, swarming mass of human souls 
Infest thy gates ; the races from without 
Pollute thy life, and bring thee to the ground. 
See yonder band of women, strangely clad, 
Parade the market-place with shameless pomp, 
And as they march along, they sing this song: 
"Come, ye who seek an evening of repose. 
Come in the twilight and the black of night, 
Come to the homes which freely welcome you. 
Why waste your leisure moments on the streets, 
When perfumes, beauty, music reign within." 
Will these base melodies enthrall young men ; 
Have they not moral rectitude enough 
To banish thots of such an evil dye? 
I waited for the evening ; as it came 
I sat behind the window of my house, 
And looking thru the casement saw a youth 
Void of all understanding pass the door 
Of one of these enchantresses, who rushed 
Upon him, caught him, kissed him and declared: 
''At last Pve found thee whom my soul has sought. 
Come, I have paid my vows and bring thee peace." 



92 KING David's earth-born son. 

There comes along the street a lonely priest, 

Who sees not, heeds not, thinking it unfit 

To interpose a warning and proclaim 

The precepts of his God to weakened youth. 

Alas, Jerusalem, thy star has set ; 

A waning light reveals a grievous lot 

Is thine. Another priest has come and gone, 

When just as she has prompted him, the youth, 

To heed her invitation, there appears 

Jerusalem's High-priest, lone servant of 

Jehovah, who adjures the boy and says: 

"Can one go on hot coals and not be burned? 

The ox to slaughter led, the fool to stocks, 

Present no sadder sight than youth ensnared 

By coated words concealing viper's fangs. 

Let not thine heart decline unto her ways. 

For she doth wound thee and then cast thee ofif. 

Yea, many strong men she hath slain ere this; 

Her house leads to the tomb and on to hell." 

"Why then," rephes the youth, "do kings subscribe 

To her dominion, why do they set us 

Examples which we dare not imitate? 

The court teems with corruption, why not go 

And bear your message to the tottering king?" 

"Alas, fair boy, I am debarred from court, 

My voice no longer pleasing to the king 

Is hushed, it feebly pleads with other men 

To yield no self-surrender to a vice 

That dims the holy city neath a cloud 

So dark we can not see the sacred mount." 

"Nay," saith the youth, "preach not to me in words 



THE STRAND S WRECKAGE. 

Unfit for kings, do not their lives reflect 

Themselves in subjects who obey their plea? 

Go to the court, thou servant of thy Lord, 

If it will heed thy message, so shall I, 

Until it does, farewell, I enter in." 

The door is closed, the youth has disappeared 

And left the sad High-priest to reason thus : 

"Jerusalem, the city of our God, 

Is now the brothel of an upstart race 

Of evil-doers who defy the law. 

The prophets and the altars of Jahveh, 

Obey the dread example of a faithless king, 

And bring destruction on the chosen race. 

My task is ended, I have failed, I see 

The clouds grow darker, and the lightnings flash, 

I hear the thunders of a God enraged. 

Repentant of the choice which He has made ; 

They seem to echo forth : Revenge is Mine." 

Again conspiracy exerts its sway; 

The poisoned barb which entered David's court. 

And made him long for death before it came, 

Is thrust into the breast of Solomon. 

The son of Nebat, Jeroboam called. 

An Ephrathite, whose birth-place was close by 

The site where bronze was moulded to adorn 

The temple, scene of beauty and of grace, 

He lifted up his hand against the king. 

The deed is more revolting, for this man 

Is son of one who is a widow now — 



93 



94 KING David's earth-born son. 

Altho she never was a wife before. 

The cause of this revolt is clearly traced: 

The king built Millo and repaired the walls 

Of David's city where the tooth of storm 

Had bitten ofif huge morsels in its greed. 

The king observed this young man, for he saw 

Tn him a heart of valor and a will 

Of steel, forged in the fire of industry. 

He made him ruler over Joseph's house, 

Commanding him to bear the burden well. 

The young man left Jerusalem to do 

As he was told when out upon the field 

He met the Shilonite Ahijah and. 

Alone, the prophet straight unfolds his plan. 

The garment of the prophet which is new 

Must serve to illustrate his mission's end. 

Ahijah rent the garment into twelve 

Unequal pieces, one for every tribe. 

"Take ten of these," the prophet then commands. 

"Thus saith the Lord, the God of Israel : 

'Out of the hand of fallen Solomon 

These ten I take and give them unto thee; 

Two only he shall keep, for David's sake 

Tne one, the other, for Jerusalem. 

My grief is very rending for the gods 

Obtain a homage which belongs to Me. 

My servant has not walked within my ways, 

He trampled all my judgments under foot. 

Alas, that he should be King David's son. 

I can not take the kingdom from his hand, 



THE strand's wreckage. 95 

His father's memory intercedes for him. 

Rut let him die, his son will never rule 

An undivided kingdom as the father did. 

Let David's son retain Judea's soil ; ' 

While thou shalt lord it over Israel. 

One pledge alone I ask, that you shall yield 

Obedience to my just decrees and walk 

In righteousness, as was king David's wont. 

The seed of David shall arise to find 

A stronger master than it fotmd in him. 

Not always thus will I afflict this seed, 

But shall awaken as the years roll on 

A greater son to David who shall free 

His people from a burden and a snare 

Imposed upon them by an earth-born son. 

As he king Solomon has laid thee low, 

A saviour shall appear and raise thee up.' " 

King Solomon is troubled ; he can not 

Look on the features of a stronger man ; 

Where-e'er he turns a vision haunts his gaze, 

A countenance of one who must succeed 

And wrest the kingdom from a tottering hand. 

"Kill Jeroboam," he decrees. But, no, — 

There is no need to execute his word, 

The servant has departed in the night. 

A guardian angel came and summoned him. 

Led him to Egypt, bade him stay awhile 

Until this tyrant shall lay down his life. 

The land wherein a Moses has been reared. 

Wherein the envied brother Joseph reigned. 



96 KING David's earth-born son. 

Wherein the people learned to ask for God, 

The land of curses and of blessings, too, 

The land wherein the Saviour shall be hid, 

Calls "Jeroboam come and learn the art 

Of warfare whereby you shall gain the strife. 

King Solomon, who long ago did deign 

To seek a queen in Egypt's royal house 

y\nd later on bought horses, chariots. 

And spices without number in our realm, 

Has lost all sense of shame and so defiles 

The land which helped him gain his mastery. 

Come, Jeroboam, learn how thou shalt reign, 

How thou shalt vindicate a nation's name 

And smear the streets with the ungrateful blood 

Of Solomon, King David's beastly son." 

Behold the man ! King David's earth-born son, 

A. human wreck, a skeleton at best. 

Whose purple robe betrays it has been made 

For other shoulders than it graces now, 

Whose crown, a crown of gold, rests heavily 

Upon a shrunken, ill-supported head. 

This king pursues his weary journey to 

The temple-mount, ascends and stands between 

Two pillars, for he can not stand alone. 

He leans upon his staff and offers prayer, 

Or, rather, seeks a long-forgotten art. 

He can not pray, words will not come from out 

A heart that has grown hard on vice alone. 

The people seeing, pity him, for they 



THE STRAND S WRECKAGE. 9/ 

Remember how in days that are no mpre 

The crown sat Hghtly on his wondrous head, 

The. robe lent dignity unto his form, 

And how forgetful of both crown and robe 

He worshipped God in singleness of heart. 

They think of father David as they mourn 

The days that were, the halcyon days of yore. 

The nervous monarch not allowed to pray 

Cries out in great despair and agony : 

"What profit hath a man of all his task? 

One generation passing but makes room 

For one that cometh, while the earth abides. 

All rivers run into the sea and yet 

It is not full ; unto the place from whence 

The rivers come, they turn unto the same. 

I once was king and gave my heart to seek 

The paths of wisdom, twined and intertwined. 

That which is crooked now was one time straight, 

Defects appear which can not be defined. 

1 found no solace in chaste wisdom's sway; 

Hence bade my heart be mirthful and enjoy 

The pleasures of a heartless, frenzied world. 

Again I found no rest and turned to build 

Great works and houses, vineyards, shaded pools ; 

I got me servants from abroad and reared 

Them in my house ; secured the choicest breeds 

Of cattle ; added silver, gold, unto 

A treasury already filled with gems. 

I got me singers from the provinces 

And instruments wherewith to aid their songs. 



98 KING David's earth-born son. 

Whatever I desired I obtained ; 

My heart was sated with the pride of Hfe ; 

A bubble, it expanded ; until, now. 

Its walls so far distended snap and snarl, — 

Fore-tellers of a doom awaiting me. 

When they shall burst and all my boasted pomp 

Lie shattered in the trough of vanity. 

The time for birth has passed, for death has come ; 

The time for planting yields to plucking's reign; 

The time to break supplants the time to build; 

The time to weep enforces laughter's doom ; 

The time to speak is hushed by silence hand; 

The time for love is ended, hatred lives ; 

The time for peace is over, war is on. 

Gape, gape, ye spectres, I'm your prisoner. 



A Monologue. 
I've done it ! 
All my greater self lies buried ; 
My inferior self prevails. 

But yesterday the wrong could have been righted 
Which ever hence assails. 

I suffer ! 
Nay, I perish, untold anguish 
Gnaws ; nay, drives me to despair. 
But yesterday a man, to-day a weakling 
In evil's fatal snare. 



TPIE STRAND S WRECKAGE. 

I rue it ! 
How this sense of shame oppresses; 
How these spectres stand and stare; 
Their glance is one of sadness, disappointment, 
In one for whom they care. 

I'll do it! 
Wreckage may be re-constructed ; 
Ihus it yields a smaller hull, 
And yet a smaller self of better timber, 
Created for a lull. 

A ghastly look, a lurch, and all is o'er; 

The staff has snapped asunder as a reed, 

A hollow reed on which a worm has fed, 

And finding nought of nourishment proceeds 

To dig its way to freedom and to light. 

The worm creeps o'er the shining temple-floor. 

Affrighted by the crash which it has heard. 
The priests, amazed, rush in to see their king 
A prostrate form ; and near him a lone worm. 
The High-priest summons courage as he cries : 
"Oh, vanity of vanities, a king 
Whose outward station pleased a fickle race, 
W^hose wealth was so amazing it would be 
Beyond my power to describe its bounds, 
Whose beauty in his prime pleased womankind, 
Whose wisdom was a by-word of the streets, 
Whose heart w-as true to God as he assumed 
The mastery of David's throne and home ; 



99 



lOO KING DAVID S EARTH-BORN SON. 

This king is but a mass of gruesome flesh; 

And near him crawls the. emblematic worm 

Which sought his staff as other worms attacked 

His wayward heart and fed on wholesome food. 

Perhaps a later king shall also die 

As victim to the loathsome creature's greed, — 

Perhaps, no, not perhaps, I know 'tis true, 

A greater king arising from the dead, 

A son of David — shall essay to crush 

The worms and serpents of an earth-born race ; 

'Tis vanity of vanities till then." 

* * * * 

The trumpets wake the resurrection morn ; 

The angels busily glide to and fro, 

As they are ordered to command the dead 

To leave their sepulchres and hasten to 

The judgment-seat of David's greater Son, 

Where they must hear the verdict, the "well-done. 

Thou good and faithful servant, enter in," 

Or the most sad and terrible command : 

"Depart from me, ye sinful souls, depart." 

The patriarchs have risen from the dead ; 

The judges stand before a greater Judge ; 

The prophets see the Lamb they have fore-told; 

The ranks have been established, right and left 

The good and bad appear to enter on 

The bliss or punishment they merited. 

Again the trumpets sound, the angels call : 

''Come forth, ye luke-warm spirits, meet your Lord, 

Tell him why ye have halted ; tell him why 



THE strand's wreckage. IOI 

The good and evil ever fought within 

Your troubled breasts ; nay, He can read your hearts, 

He knows why ye have, acted thus ; why were 

Ye not in conduct either hot or cold, 

Why did ye force Him to pursue this course, 

Whereby your bitter banishment is sealed? 

Come forth, again we say, come forth, receive 

The verdict of the righteous judge and king. 

The graves are opened ; one by one they rise— ~ 

These weak apostles of a former age. 

From yonder grave there slowly creeps a form 

With anguish clearly written on its brow — 

A form we've seen before. It is a king 

Now subject to a greater Lord; a king 

To whom it seems quite strange to be aroused 

In such a manner from his troubled sleep. 

As he arises from his grave there rings 

A shout of recognition from the right. 

Its echoes rend the columns to the left. 

He looks first one way, then another, then 

Observes the wondrous golden throne, whereon 

Is seated in most tranquil mode a King. 

His friends upon the right hand beckon him: 

"My son," king David cries in heart-felt tones, 

"I've waited for you long and patiently. 

Come join me in this brighter realm of day. 

We kings of Israel shall laud this King 

Of earth and heaven, people great and small." 

But no, the eye of Solomon is not 



I02 KING DAVID S EARTH-BORN SON. 

To rest upon his father, nor his ear 
Attend unto a voice which pleases him. 
Beside his father stands the Shulamite, 
Most beautiful in heaven's snow-white garb, 
With but a faint memento here and there, 
A scar which indicates a wound obtained 
While roaming as a banished queen from court. 
"I knew it, yes, I knew that I must see 
My king again and live with him alway. 
Come, love, and let me bring you to our King. 
I've prayed for you, I've sighed for you, I wept, 
I've waited for you, now my prayer is heard." 
He listens to these soulful words of love. 
While songs of lust address his other ear, 
For from the left there comes a harmony, 
Or dissonance, of luring cries and sobs ; 
He turns his head and there beholds the queen, 
False Bathsheba, as she. essays to call : 
''My son, heed not thy father's tempting speech, 
He. cares not for thee ; heed my words alone. 
Come, join our ranks and pass thy time in sport, 
In wanton revelry, in frolic and in drink. 
We'll sing a merrier song than David sings. 
We'll please thee more than yonder Shulamite. 
They sing to glorify a Lamb once slain. 
They speak of naught but holiness and peace. 
We sing of pleasure and supplant our song 
With sacred rites which Satan has decreed." 
Another messenger from self-same realm 
Confronts him as he looks upon the wife 



THE STRAND S WRECKAGE. IO3 

He brought from Egypt and from Pharoah's court : 

"King Lucifer has steeds enough for two, 

His stables are commodious and rich, 

His steeds are fire-shod, his chariot-wheels 

Are forged in furnaces of greatest heat. 

Come, come and let us race thruout his realm, 

We care not wdiere we land or whence the course. 

Let us re-live the days we spent on earth." 

These are the solos, then there comes a burst 

Of plaintive wails and sounds, — the chorus, which 

Composed of many maidens, chants this strain: 

"We are your wives, king Solomon, behold 

Us, as we stand and sing, a thousand strong. 

You lured us and we followed your behests, 

Lent ear unto your words and cozened you. 

Now 'tis your turn, O King, to cozen us, 

To bide eternity within our home. 

Come, mighty monarch, be our paramour." 

Amazed, the king knows not which way to turn. 

First to the right, then to the left he looks. 

On one side David and the Shulamite, 

And on the other Bathsheba and all 

The women of the harem ; he decides, 

If it be possible, to spend some time 

With both ; this will be pleasing to his whim. 

He stands before the Judgment-seat of Christ 

A picture of remorse and yet a slave 

To passions which he can not subjugate. 



I04 KING DAVID S EARTH-BORN SON. 

"O Lord, have mercy on Thy wayward child ; 
Bid us prepare unto the day when we 
Shall stand before Thee and await Thy word; 
Make us be certain what Thou hast in store ; 
Command us not, we pray Thee, to the left, 
But bid us as Thy children to the right." 

Our tale is ended, David's earth-born son 

Has met his greater brother— CHRIST OUR LORD. 



DEC 23 1905C 



